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In this photo, Ryan Franklin alongside other members of the SSC Board of Regents pose for a photo at the grand opening of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex on Oct. 20, 2022. Pictured (left to right): Franklin, Kim Hyden, Robyn Ready, Marci Donaho, Curtis Morgan and Bryan Cain.

From Seminole to Sydney: Gold Medalist Recounts Olympic Journey

Josh Hutton

As the 2024 Olympics in Paris continue through Aug. 11, viewers around the world tune in as the best athletes in the world compete in a wide range of sports. From rhythmic gymnastics to Greco-Roman wrestling, from fencing to equestrian dressage, it would be easy to assume the most popular sports suited for the summer months are all represented.

“One sport is painfully missing,” Seminole State College Regent Ryan Franklin said. “America’s pastime. Baseball.”

For Franklin, the omission is personal. After graduating from Spiro High School in 1991, Franklin attended what was then Seminole Junior College, where, as a pitcher, he went 20-0 across two seasons. He was then signed by the Seattle Mariners. He spent the next few years building a reputation as a reliable closing pitcher in the minor leagues, eventually leading to an opportunity to try out for the United States’ 2000 Olympic baseball team.

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In this photo, pictured left to right, Director of Communications Josh Hutton, Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell pose for a photo with the two awards they received at the 2024 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association annual conference in Tulsa.

SSC PR Team Wins Awards at State Conference

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Public Relations team was honored with two awards at the annual Oklahoma College Public Relations Association conference, held from July 14-16 at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Tulsa.

Director of Communications Josh Hutton and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell took home an award in the Special Publications category for their work on SSC’s 2023 Annual Report. Nickell shot and edited photos and Hutton wrote the copy and designed the publication.

“The Annual Report highlights campus events, student life, academic programs, the institution’s finances and the achievements of our students, faculty and staff. It’s always a major undertaking, but after it has been compiled, it’s always amazing to see what our campus community can accomplish in the span of a year,” Hutton said.

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In this photo, SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell welcomes athletes across all sports to campus in the fall of 2023.

SSC Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA Academic Honors

Josh Hutton

Fifty-eight student-athletes and six athletic teams at Seminole State College have been recognized for their academic achievements this year by the National Junior College Athletic Association. The NJCAA Academic All-American Student Athlete Awards are divided into the three groups based on grade point average – First Team requires a 4.0 GPA, Second Team requires a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99, and Third Team requires a GPA between 3.60 and 3.79.

“Our students’ dedication to excellence both in the classroom and on the field exemplifies the core values of Seminole State College. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and perseverance,” SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell said.

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In this photo Newly appointed Regent Teresa Burnett (right) is sworn in for a seven-year term on the SSC Board of Regents by her husband, Brad Burnett (left), at the meeting on July 18.

New Regent Sworn in at SSC Board Meeting

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Board of Regents swore in a new member, selected officers and approved a policy revision at their meeting on July 18.

The meeting commenced with the formal swearing-in of new Regent Teresa Burnett. The oath of office was administered by her husband, Brad Burnett, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Oklahoma Baptist University and former Associate Vice President of Student Financial Services at the University of Oklahoma.

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In this photo, SSC agriculture alumni and Oklahoma State University graduate student McKenzie Sheldon takes participants bird watching as part of the Outdoor session.

SSC Summer Camps Create Memorable Experiences for Kids

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College’s Kids on Campus summer camps attracted dozens of students who participated in a wide range of sessions. This year’s camps ran from June 24-27 and July 8-11. Over the two weeks, kids participated in 82 individual sessions with themes such as Fun Fitness, Outdoor, Art, Clay, Lego and STEM.

This is a portrait of Jessica Isaacs.

Isaacs Named Dean of Instruction at SSC

Josh Hutton

Professor of English Jessica Isaacs has been named the new Dean of Instruction at Seminole State College, effective July 15, 2024.

Isaacs has worked full-time at Seminole State College for the past 22 years. She has served as the Division Chair of the Language Arts and Humanities Division and played a pivotal role in the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in both 2020 and 2010.

“We have so many great opportunities for growth at SSC. As a senior faculty member in this new leadership role, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned, to support faculty any way I can and to help our students succeed,” Isaacs said.

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In this photo Seminole State College Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey (right) assists Madalyn Douthit (left), of Seminole, as she completes the scholarship application.

SSC Extends Scholarship Application Deadline Following FAFSA Delay

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College has announced an extension of the scholarship application deadline for the Fall 2024 term to July 31, 2024. This decision follows the delay in the availability of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which has impacted many students’ ability to complete their financial aid applications on time.

The extended deadline provides prospective and current students additional time to apply for scholarships amid uncertainties caused by the FAFSA delay. The 2024-25 FAFSA was initially delayed due to a massive overhaul of the application, as required by Congress. As of June 21, the percentage of FAFSA completions by 2024 high school graduates was down 11.8 percent versus the class of 2023 at the same time last year, according to the National College Attainment Network.

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In this photo Seminole State College Athletic Director Leslie Sewell throws the opening pitch of the Oklahoma City Spark’s game against the Chattanooga Steam at Devon Park on July 3.

SSC Athletic Director Throws Opening Pitch at Spark Game

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Athletic Director Leslie Sewell was invited to throw the opening pitch of the Oklahoma City Spark’s game against the Chattanooga Steam at Devon Park on July 3. Sewell has worked at SSC for 14 years. She was named Athletic Director in July of 2023. When she began the role, she was the only female athletic director in all the two-year colleges in Oklahoma. Since she has taken the helm, the SSC women’s volleyball, baseball and women’s soccer teams all won their regional tournaments. Soccer advanced to the national tournament ranked number two in the country.

The Oklahoma City Spark professional softball team had their inaugural season in the summer of 2023. They are led by Head Coach Amber Flores, who also serves as Head Coach for the SSC softball team. The Spark’s regular season runs through July 21.

Posing for a photo are SSC employees who attended the national “Element451: Engage Summit” in Raleigh, North Carolina (pictured left to right) are Davis Kappele, Academic Advisor; Melanie Rinehart, Vice President of Finance, Grants and Enrollment; Edith Cathey, Director of Enrollment Management; Madisen Potter, Recruitment Specialist; and Caitlin Brown, Online Degree Navigator.

SSC Staff Receives National Training

Josh Hutton

Members of the Seminole State College enrollment management team attended the national “Element451: Engage Summit” in Raleigh, North Carolina this week. The group received training on the specialized Customer Relations Module (CRM) software, which SSC uses for their recruitment, marketing and communication efforts. They also learned about ways to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to better engage with, support and conduct outreach to current and prospective students. SSC employees (pictured left to right) are Davis Kappele, Academic Advisor; Melanie Rinehart, Vice President of Finance, Grants and Enrollment; Edith Cathey, Director of Enrollment Management; Madisen Potter, Recruitment Specialist; and Caitlin Brown, Online Degree Navigator.